El Dorado County, California Employment Opportunities Update

The County of El Dorado is recruiting applicants for Deputy Public Defender I/II/III. This recruitment will establish a list for the purpose of filling current and future full time, part time and extra help vacancies for at least three (3) months. If you are interested in the position of Deputy Public Defender, please submit your application. 

We currently have the following vacancies:

• One (2) full time vacancies in the Public Defender's Office located in Shingle Springs, CA

A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking for referral to specific vacancies.  Based upon the information in the application and/or responses to supplemental questions, the applicant's education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. 

Supplemental questions play an integral role in this recruitment process. Please take the time to provide thoughtful and thorough responses. The information you provide may be used to determine your ranking for referral to specific vacancies. All work experience that is described or included in your response(s) MUST be included in the "Work Experience" section of your application. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation.

DEFINITION
Under general supervision (Deputy Public Defender I and II), direction (Deputy Public Defender III), and general direction (Deputy Public Defender IV), performs professional legal duties in support of the Public Defender's Office; provides public defense and legal services for court-appointed cases; performs legal research; plans and coordinates investigations for the legal defense cases; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision (Deputy Public Defender I and II), direction (Deputy Public Defender III) and general direction (Deputy Public Defender IV) from the Public Defender and the Assistant Public Defender. All levels exercise no supervision over staff. May provide training to less experienced staff, as directed by management.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a multi-level professional classification series in which incumbents may be hired to any of four (4) levels, depending upon experience, proficiency gained, and the complexity and sensitivity of assigned cases. The work may be related to the defense of cases in a number of legal specialty areas. Incumbents must be a member in good standing of the California State Bar Association. Positions in these classes are flexibly staffed and may be filled by advancement form the lower-level classification.

Deputy Public Defender I: This is the first working level class in the Deputy Public Defender series. Incumbents perform routine case management and defense of misdemeanor cases or less complex felony cases under close supervision, within the Public Defender's Office. The work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.

Deputy Public Defender II: This is the second working level class in the Deputy Public Defender series performing professional legal work for a broader range cases; typically, all misdemeanors and some felony cases within the Public Defender's Office. Incumbents regularly work on cases that are varied, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.

Deputy Public Defender III: This is the third working, and full journey-level classification in the Deputy Public Defender series responsible for performing the full range of professional legal work within the Public Defender's Office; typical cases include those assigned to the Deputy Public Defender II level, as well as additional ongoing assignments to investigate and litigate complicated criminal cases.  Positions in this classification rely on experience and judgment to ensure the efficient and effective defense of assigned cases.  The work involves problem-solving of unique issues or increasingly complex problems without precedent and/or structure. Assignments are given with general guidelines, and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver legal services. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.


These classes are distinguished from the Sr. Deputy Public Defender in that the latter provides technical and functional lead direction to an assigned team of Deputy Public Defenders.

Positions in the Deputy Public Defender class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II-level are normally filled by advancement from the I-level; similarly, positions at the III-level are normally filled by advancement from the II-level; and positions at the IV-level are normally filled by the III-level. Progression to each higher classification level is subject to all of the following (i) management affirmation that the incumbent is performing the full range of duties assigned; (ii) management approval for progression to the next higher level in the series; (iii); satisfactory work and office performance at the current classification level that is indicative of being ready to progress; and (iv) incumbent meets the minimum qualifications for the next classification.